A MASSIVE blaze destroyed Stoneclough village's former social club last night.

The former Fletcher's club at Vale House on Market Street is owned by Fletcher's paper mill across the road but has not been in use since October 1977.

It stands next to a controversial housing site.

The club is a listed building and developers wanted to knock it down but Bolton Council had refused permission.

Kearsley Cllr Pauline Spencer said: "I am devastated by the news and extremely anxious to find out what happened." Cllr Spencer said Fletcher's had been pressed to turn the building into a community centre.

Firefighters were called out just before 10.30pmby a night watchman but by then the building was well alight.

Crews from four fire engines and a hydraulic platform were needed to fight the blaze and this morning firemen were still at the scene. Fire investigators were examining the building to try to establish the cause of the blaze.

It is thought that the fire could have been started deliberately.

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